Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Three satellites from Curtin University’s Binar Space Program burned up in Earth’s atmosphere last week. Aptly named after “fireball” in the Noongar language, the satellites met their end much earlier than expected.
Originally set to last six months, Binar-2, 3, and 4 fell back to Earth after only two months, slashing crucial time for scientific research and testing new space systems.
The culprit? Increased solar activity. The Sun’s heightened energy output in recent months disrupted satellites, making Binar only the latest casualty in an unexpected solar cycle.
Solar activity peaks every 11 years due to magnetic shifts, producing solar flares, sunspots, and strong solar wind. However, solar cycle 25 has been stronger and faster than scientists predicted.
Space weather impacts Earth more than most realize, from creating vivid auroras to disrupting satellites. Recent high activity has intensified auroras, even reaching closer to the equator.
Solar energy heats and expands Earth’s outer atmosphere, creating drag that pulls low-orbit satellites downward. Larger satellites can counter this with thrusters; CubeSats like Binar cannot.
Though CubeSats are relatively affordable, their early loss impacts scientific goals. Binar’s unexpected descent highlights the need for better space weather forecasting, notes The Conversation.
Solar activity is expected to taper by 2026, with a minimum by 2030. While Binar-2, 3, and 4 faced harsh conditions, future missions could see a more favorable environment.
Curtin’s Binar program has shown just how dramatically solar activity affects space missions. Work on future CubeSats is already underway, with hopes for a smoother journey in quieter solar periods.